Do you suffer from digestive problems? Could grains be a factor? New evidence is emerging that suggests eliminating certain grains from your diet may improve your overall health.
Your probably thinking grains are good aren’t they, being the foundation of the food chain? The truth is that grains are convenient, cheap and calorie rich but far from conducive to health. Filling up on grains reduces our intake of more valuable nutrient dense foods.
Grains were introduced into our diet around 10, 000 years ago when we became an agrarian society.. However, grains by nature are difficult to digest due to their indigestible ingredients. If your body is unable to digest the grains this can lead to gas, cramps, constipation, diarrhoea and candida due to undigested fermenting grain bubbling away in the bowel.
Grains contain phytates which inhibit fatty acid and mineral absorption, in particular iron and zinc. Phytates demineralise teeth and bones adversely. Phytic acid can be reduced by soaking, cooking or fermenting grains. Grains also contain gluten and lectins, both of which are large antinutrients that can cause gut inflammation, allergies and malabsorption. In those with coeliacs, crohns, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis and IBS, this creates symptoms such as pain, diarrhoea, bleeding and nausea. A gluten allergy is also linked to heart problems, as the inflammatory response causes cholesterol levels to rise and calcium deposits to harden the arteries and raise blood pressure.
Gluten and lectin can also lead to leaky gut syndrome whereby large undigested molecules enter the blood stream eliciting and autoimmune allergic reaction that attacks the body. Conditions connected with this include eczema, Hashimoto’s, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and hormonal imbalances. The diarrhoea associated with gluten intolerance causes a depletion of healthy gut flora and an over proliferation of harmful bacteria, bugs, fungus, such as candida yeast. This is further provoked by the sugar and yeast often mixed with flours.
A diet high in carbohydrates leads to spikes in your insulin levels, fuelling the roller-coaster of high and low blood sugar levels, resulting in rebound hypoglycaemia, dizziness, cravings and eventually diabetes. To make matters worse fat is stored when grains’ complex carbohydrates convert to simple sugars and the energy isn’t expended. Hence eating grains and being sedentary encourages obesity and cellulite. Furthermore acidic grains increase inflammation, degeneration, pain and tooth decay. As alkaline blood is essential for optimal energy and health, grains work against this.
Most of you will be reading and wondering but how am I going to completely eliminate grains from diet? Is it even possible? It is possible it just takes a bit of thinking outside the box, time and dedication. As grains as fast and filling when we begin to eliminate these from our diet we need to fill the gap with generous and delicious meals. Think carrot fettuccine, zucchini spaghetti, mushroom burgers, omelette pizzas, buckwheat bread and coconut pancakes. For baking try almond meal, quinoa flour or coconut flour.
Stuck for ideas? Try this website for delicious grains free recipes www.grainfreeliving.com/recipes
Or try these recipes: Cacao Slices Raw Caramel Slices Roast Veggie Frittata Muffins
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